Fair Trade
The Fair Trade Futures Conference brought together over 750 dedicated individuals to learn, network, debate, and strengthen the Fair Trade movement. Students, organizations, advocates and consumers from 35 states and 21 countries shared stories and trials of the past in addition to aspirations and challenges for the future of Fair Trade. Over 150 students representing dozens of universities and more than 300 organizations celebrated attempts to live a Fair Trade life. The conference featured 50 workshops, producer testimonials and interactive opportunities to showcase and shape the future of Fair Trade in North America. This was a first of its kind conference and demonstrated the level of diversity and intelligence running through the widespread network of the international Fair Trade movement.
Commencing the weekend was the arrival of the International Fair Trade Association's (IFAT) Fair Trade Mark, carried from Canada by an animated group of Canadian students. The mark is making its way around the world to promote Fair Trade after starting in India in January. The mark has journeyed through several continents and many countries including Nepal, Philippines, Japan, Brazil and Bolivia. Mr. Kwabena Ohemeng-Tinyase, the Director of Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana, continued to build momentum for the energetic weekend with his keynote address which highlighted how Fair Trade has positively influenced his cocoa cooperative. He also led the audience in a lively Fair Trade rap, which was written by two British youth. The creative lyrics won them first place in a national competition that promoted Fair Trade.
Pauline Tiffen rang in Saturday morning with her Keynote Address “The Troubling Nature of ‘Free Trade.’” Ms. Tiffen broached the history of trade, the present, ever- changing marketplace, and the long-term goals for Fair Traders to take action and transform the market. Her keynote address was followed by the Saturday morning Plenary Session: "How to Live a Fair Trade Life" (part 1 and part 2)
Saturday afternoon participants broke out to enjoy some of the 50 different workshops that continued all weekend long. There was something for everyone including Engaging Congregations in Fair Trade Activism, Financing Fair Trade, How to Create a High-impact Fair Trade Store, and An Innovative Tool to Support the Calculation of ‘Fair Wage in the Local Context’. Workshops enabled participants with varying levels of involvement with Fair Trade to gain a more extensive perspective of the movement, and allowed time to strategize how to effectively push the Fair Trade movement forward.